Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Thank You Thank You Thank you to all of you who have so kindly supported us

 

A team of four from leading Essex law firm Thompson Smith & Puxon (TS&P) took to the skies early on Saturday morning, 6 October, to raise money for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust (Registered Charity Number 1108989), TS&P’s Charity of the Year 2012.

 

The team, Sharon Auton, Emma Town, Louise Cardwell and Nicki Frearson, woke early on Saturday morning to rain, but by the time they had completed the two hour drive to Sibson Airfield in Peterborough the rain had given way to a beautiful clear sunny morning (albeit a little chilly) – ideal weather for jumping out of a plane. The atmosphere in the car on the drive up was one of nervous excitement (fear?) which intensified the closer they were to arriving at the aerodrome.

 

Having checked in first, the TS&P team of four was amongst the first group of five (being joined by a “wear it pink for breast cancer” jumper) to be called to jump;  there was no time to think about it anymore, they were briefed, kitted out and in the plane before they had a chance to change their minds; the light aircraft then took 15 minutes to reach the “jump height” of 10,000 feet.

 

Emma was the first to jump – diving from the plane with her tandem partner, an ex parachute regiment soldier who had already completed over 8000 jumps. Sharon, as discussed in the car previously, jumped last so that she could make sure none of the team had second thoughts! Each team member was in freefall at 120 miles per hour for about 45 seconds, at which point their parachutes were deployed and they cruised to earth in about four and a half minutes, some landing more gracefully than others.

 

Once on the ground they all admitted that it was not quite as scary as they had thought it was going to be and three of the four wanted to go again. “Wow” “Fantastic” “Exhilarating” were just a few words that they were heard to utter; they just couldn’t stop smiling.

 

Sharon had brought along a bottle of champagne, and the team toasted their own success, but also raised a glass to thank all of those who had so generously sponsored them and to the wonderful work that Essex Air Ambulance do.

 

 

The team were really pleased to reach their target and beyond. Part of the money raised pays for the tuition and jump costs whilst the remainder goes directly to the charity. TS&P have started the sponsorship ball rolling by giving each of the team £100, getting them off to a great start towards their target.